Abstract

What is this all about?

Economists suggest that creative cities breed innovative economies. Statistics show more patents, intellectual property claims and more new innovative start-ups at cities and regions where more artists work and live. So art may play an important role in a learning society but the big - until now not well answered - question is: How? How does art make us smart? So I'm not thinking about art therapy, art education or community art. I am thinking about the catalyst effect of artists on the growth and flourish of their community.

What am I doing?

I'm digging into a couple of cases of innovative and trend setting art practices and art scenes in urban environments. At the moment I'm talking with artists who are upfront in colonizing new spaces and setting trends in NYC hotspots like NW Brooklyn, East Village and SE Queens. And to clarify their statements I observe and participate in their practices. I want to know how they work on a daily basis and how they involve the public in their work and practice. I want to find out how the conversation between them and their community is shaped and how learning opportunities may occur in these settings.

Why NYC?

I don't need to explain that New York City is happening, economically as well as artistically. Besides that it is clear that NYC and the Netherlands have a lot in common, historically, economically and culturally. You could claim that NYC is (New) Amsterdam in overdrive. Best New York practices could very well be exported to the Netherlands, perhaps adapted in scale and pace.

At the same time I'm studying best practices in the Netherlands to compare them with the New York cases. Until now I studied Freehouse in Rotterdam, and more Dutch cases will follow in 2014.